Re-Connect in Nature for Parents / Carers and Teens - Birkheads Wild
About this Event
🌸 Re-Connect, Create, and Explore Together 🌿
A gentle nature reset for parents / carers and their tweens or teens
No pressure. No expectations. Just time together, in nature.
Looking for a screen-free, soul-nourishing way to spend time with your tween or teenager this summer?
Join us at Birkheads Wild – "a place for free-range humans" – a beautiful 1.5-acre outdoor space in rural Gateshead that invites people to slow down, explore, play, create and reconnect with nature, alongside its resident goats and chickens.
This event is specially designed for parents and carers and their young people aged 11–19 who are adopted, looked after, are care or trauma experienced.
Hosted by Birkheads Wild and led by Through the Trees, you'll be gently guided through the experience by qualified Forest Bathing Guide and Forest Therapy Practitioner Kirstie Mawhinney, with support from Sally an experienced, fully qualified Forest School Leader.
We know how full-on life can feel - constantly giving, navigating challenges, and sometimes feeling disconnected from each other.
This is a chance to pause, reset, and reconnect in a calm, supportive, and welcoming environment.
🌿 What to Expect:
- A gentle, family-friendly walk through woodland
- Simple, mindful activities to help you connect with nature and each other
- A relaxed, hands-on woodland craft activity
- Time to explore the beautiful Birkheads Wild site, chill in hammocks, meet the friendly goats and enjoy the peaceful surroundings
- Opportunities for nature-based play and discovery
- Campfire (weather dependent)
- Foraged tea, snacks, and cake* to share together
A perfect mix of calm, creativity, exploration and connection — with plenty of space to just be.
🌿 For Young People (What they'll get out of it)
- No pressure to talk or share anything personal
- Freedom to join in as much or as little as they like
- Creative, hands-on activities (nothing like school!)
- Time to relax, hang out, and unwind
- A chance to feel calmer, less stressed, and more energised
Worried your teen might not want to come? That’s completely normal — many young people feel unsure at first, but often end up enjoying the experience in their own way.
🌿Why It Matters
Spending time in nature has been shown to support both physical and mental wellbeing — helping to reduce stress, improve mood, support sleep, and even boost focus and memory (especially helpful during exam time).
We’ll gently introduce simple, practical ways to feel calmer and more regulated, without it feeling like therapy.
This is also a chance to connect with other families who understand your journey.
🌿What Past Particpants Say
"I feel calmer and better able to cope with some of lifes stresses...Sharing the experience with my foster child but still having the time to relax was a highlight. It couldn't have been any better!"
Debbie, Foster Carer
"Thankful for having time with my daughter with no conflict."
Sally, Adoptive Parent
"So happy my son enbraced things - loved our shared experience".
Clare, Adoptive parent
"I felt energetic in a good way... I was nervous at the start, but I liked not being forced into doing anything I didn't want." '
'F', aged 18
"If you feel stressed you can hug the tree and it will make you feel better."
'J', aged 11
🌿 Discover Birkheads Wild
Set within 1.5 acres of woodland and meadow in rural Gateshead, Birkheads Wild is "a place for free-range humans". A peaceful haven where people of all ages are encouraged to slow down, explore, create and reconnect with nature. With woodland paths, open spaces, friendly goats and chickens, hammocks, covered campfire areas, and an award winning composting loo, it's the perfect setting to spend unhurried time together away from the demands of everyday life.
Need to see it for yourself? Watch Izzy's video tour - scroll down to the bottom of the home page to the title 'New to Birkheads Wild?' .
🌿Practical Information
- No experience needed — just bring curiosity, comfy shoes, and a sense of adventure
- Walk approx. 1mile
- Meeting point: Tanfield Railway Overflow car park (postcode NE16 5ET)
- Free parking
- Dietary needs can be accommodated — please let us know on booking
*Snacks and cake are prepared by Through the Trees in a registered 5★ hygiene-rated home kitchen.
🌿Booking Information
- FREE event
- Limited to 12 participants to keep the experience calm and supportive
💚 Part of our Thrive with Nature project, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund
🌿 Delivered by Through the Trees in partnership with Birkheads Wild — a place for free-range humans.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 0.00
